tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:04:22 +0000softwarelifetoolspakistanpersonalprogrammingeducationswedenIT Pakistanukworldreligionbook reviewcomputer-sciencenatureproductivitymoneymortalsscienceweirdbankingmindfinancelogicpayment-systemsadsensevagabondfreelancemobilesoft skillshumourjob huntopensourcepersonal-financeStartupsbandwidthbookseAIkarachimetaparentingpresonalprocessA Jaywalker's Diaryhttp://www.thejaywalker.net/noreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)Blogger292125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-55592174575307904Sat, 05 Sep 2015 21:45:00 +00002015-09-05T22:45:55.131+01:00processukworldApplying for Canadian Visit Visa from the UK
Being a non-British, I do need to apply for a visa if I plan to visit Canada. Below is an account of my experience of the overall process. Please note that below is not an immigration or application advice in any way; just an account of how I applied for my visa.
Canadian visa applications can be submitted in-person, by-post or online. I would have preferred in-person if I was living close to http://www.thejaywalker.net/2015/09/applying-for-canadian-visit-visa-from-uk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-5952845584337153083Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:44:00 +00002014-08-21T22:45:11.173+01:00ukCan I use John Lewis Vouchers at Waitrose online?
The answer to the question, "Can I use John Lewis vouchers at Waitrose online?" is "Yes!", and here is how you can do just that.
John Lewis vouchers are really called "John Lewis Waitrose". While the terms and conditions at the back of the voucher do not explicitly say that you can use the voucher online, they do indicate that you can use them in-store at Waitrose. But they do really work http://www.thejaywalker.net/2014/08/use-john-lewis-vouchers-at-waitrose.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0United Kingdom55.378051 -3.4359729999999912.1996745 -86.05316049999999 90 79.18121450000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-626866988900938201Sun, 09 Feb 2014 18:14:00 +00002014-02-09T18:15:34.404+00:00opensourcepayment-systemsprogrammingConfiguring jPOS with Maven POM
jPOS is now available on GitHub. If you want to make use of the ISO8583 Java library in your Maven project, following are the dependency settings that you need to define in your POM.xml:
In other words, the groupId is org.jpos and the artifactId is jpos. The latest released version as of today is 1.9.2.
A frequently encountered error, however, is related to missing sleepycat jar when you http://www.thejaywalker.net/2014/02/configuring-jpos-with-maven-pom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-7582086659883812993Sat, 14 Dec 2013 18:32:00 +00002013-12-14T18:32:03.297+00:00ukvagabondApplying for International Driving Permit (IDP)
You can easily get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from the post office (over the counter), and the application fee is just £5.50. Read on to know the details.
If you are a UK driving licence holder and would like to drive abroad, you might be required to hold an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your full driving licence. The exact requirements vary country by country; for http://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/12/applying-for-international-driving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-2550067243769647026Thu, 31 Oct 2013 23:22:00 +00002013-10-31T23:22:45.803+00:00programmingCatching a COM+ Event in VBScript
Catching events in Visual Basic 6 was simple---the IDE provided you all the tools to define event handlers in a very easy and intuitive way. Similar approach was carried over to .NET based languages. But what if you are going to use a COM object in VBScript, where you don't have an IDE to help you at all?
Difference between CreateObject and WScript.CreateObject
The first point to note is that http://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/10/catching-com-event-in-vbscript.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-7275066292572135729Tue, 22 Oct 2013 17:58:00 +00002013-11-03T14:29:45.996+00:00moneypakistanRemittances to Pakistan by Pakistani Expats
Do you know what's the biggest export of Pakistan? It's still Textile, amounting to 1.1 billion USD in a single month (stats from Aug 2013). But you might be surprised to know that this export is now matched by the remittances sent in by Pakistanis from abroad to their families back home. The figure is more than a billion dollars in a single month!
Remittances from Pakistani Expats in Sep-2013http://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/10/remittances-to-pakistan-by-pakistan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-4208992554548629887Sun, 18 Aug 2013 13:43:00 +00002013-08-18T14:43:49.957+01:00mobileGoogle Nexus Sound Mute Problem
So, my Google Nexus 4 suddenly went mute. I did a quick check to find out that it's only video and applications which have their volume stuck at 0; the phone itself was ringing fine; even the alarm function was working. This relieved me because it meant that the speaker itself wasn't faulty.
As with all software problem, a complete reboot came to mind. Unfortunately, that didn't help either. I http://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/08/google-nexus-sound-mute-problem.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-8829991729781505006Thu, 15 Aug 2013 20:31:00 +00002013-08-15T21:31:19.999+01:00programmingsoftwareworldIs Coding the new Latin?
When New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, announced in 2011 that learning to program a computer was one of his new year resolutions for 2012, people started wondering if Coding is the new Latin.
Is it really important to learn to code, even though you don't intend to pursuit a career in computer programming?
Some people agree, while others think that it's just a hype. I somewhat tend to agree http://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/08/is-coding-new-latin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-4496111035888454369Sat, 27 Jul 2013 00:52:00 +00002013-07-27T19:44:34.364+01:00ukworldThe Boss in Leeds (or why politicians love industrialists)
So, The Boss visited Leeds this week. Bruce Springsteen was the first one to play in the newly completed £60m Leeds Arena. Previously, he is said to have visited the city in 1985 where the concert was held in Roundhay Park.
Bruce Springsteen - Leeds Arena - 24th July 2013 by Bradford Timeline
In another side news, some traffic warden issued parking tickets to the lorries carrying equipment http://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/07/the-boss-in-leeds-or-why-politicians.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-4677158254593258088Sat, 20 Jul 2013 19:24:00 +00002013-07-20T20:24:19.748+01:00ukVisiting US Embassy in London
I was recently invited to attend a conference in the US. But being on a Tier 1 visa in the UK means that I needed to apply for a visa first. This also meant appearing for an in-person interview at the US Embassy in London, which is currently mandatory for people from certain nationalities, including Pakistan.
The following hints might help you if you are a non-British UK resident and need to http://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/07/visiting-us-embassy-in-london.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-4544281526534001616Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:35:00 +00002013-03-23T19:35:28.069+00:00lifeukSecond Year in the UK
Comes March, and so does completion of another year in the UK. Like last year, I would like to rate the impact of moving to the UK in various areas on a scale of -3 to +3 where -3 indicates that something has been a complete disaster, and +3 indicates that something was so good that I "couldn't have asked for more".
Personal Level
I rated last year at +2 on a personal level. This year wouldn'thttp://www.thejaywalker.net/2013/03/second-year-in-uk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-2929009825373232636Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:56:00 +00002012-12-31T23:57:42.971+00:00personal-financeukBeating Inflation in 2013
With a Retail Price Index of 3.0% in November 2012, your £100 from last year are worth only £97 this year. In other words, the money that you might have in your savings account is decreasing at the rate of 3% every year. If your bank account doesn't give you an interest of 3% or greater, you are actually getting poorer with the passage of time.
Let's look at some strategies to make your http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/12/beating-inflation-in-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-570183793400470162Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:30:00 +00002012-12-25T06:09:05.787+00:00personal-financeukThe Myth of Savings Account - UK Version
Now that we know Savings Accounts are a myth, at least for a weak currency like Pakistani Rupee, let's see if Pounds Sterling fare any better.
We'll compare the inflation rate in the UK with some of the most promising savings account types in the UK (taking 1 year interest into consideration). According to Money Supermarket, the market leader is Baroda MAX, which is currently giving a return ofhttp://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/12/the-myth-of-savings-account-uk-version.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-3132555697250243453Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:45:00 +00002012-12-21T21:53:08.258+00:00personal-financeThe Myth of Saving Accounts
This should be an easy one. Which one is better: Rs. 100,000/- invested in a savings account in Pakistan or an equal worth of Pound Sterling lying in your drawer?
Well, the first thought that comes to one's mind is that money put in a savings account is better than the same lying in the drawer. After all, the savings account is supposed to give your some profit/ interest; isn't it?
Let's do http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/12/the-myth-of-saving-accounts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-1677773689495551680Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:54:00 +00002012-09-11T21:55:32.659+01:00personalukMisconceptions About Life in the UK
A week ago, I obtained my UK driving license. It's tough to get one. But it's not the toughest thing that I have came across since I came here 1.5 years ago.
The three biggest fallacies about life in the UK for me have been:
Fallacy 1: British speak English and their accent is what we hear on BBC.
Nothing can be far from truth than this one. British speak in all kinds of accents http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/09/misconceptions-about-life-in-uk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-728419299859054350Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:51:00 +00002012-08-27T13:55:58.086+01:00book reviewparentingBook Review: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
As a parent, have you ever wondered what could be a better solution to your child's tantrums? Do you frequently come across situations where the child asks for something and you deny it, and this keeps on repeating for 10-15 minutes until either you give in or make the child cry for another good 15 minutes till she gets distracted?
"How to Talk..." is a must read book on parenting; though http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/08/book-review-how-to-talk-so-kids-will.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-2077764597569172516Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:49:00 +00002012-09-11T20:55:28.797+01:00book reviewlifemindDo you suffer from anxiety? Have you ever given it a thought?
Sad 3D Man
Have you ever tried to avoid a situation and wished that you had another way of dealing with it? Is it a recurring theme in your life with respect to some particular set of situations? If yes, you are not alone! Many people suffer from anxiety, perhaps without knowing it. No, really, it's very common.
The most common form of anxiety is the fear of snakes followed closely by the http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/07/are-you-anxious-do-you-know-that.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-2759493822040313140Thu, 19 Jul 2012 20:59:00 +00002012-07-19T22:13:52.889+01:00moneypakistanukSending Money to Pakistan from the UK
If you regularly remit money from the UK to Pakistan, I highly recommend using HBL eRemit service. Below is a review of the options available to you; I recommend trying both HBL eRemit and United Bank UK. Please post your experiences here.
Pound Coins by Images_of_Money
HBL eRemit: This the best service, even better if you are an HBL UK customer; however, being HBL UK customer is not http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/07/sending-money-to-pakistan-from-uk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-7065154379038239515Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:33:00 +00002012-06-29T22:33:16.067+01:00ukNo Resource to Public Funds
If your UK visa says "No resource to public funds", it means that you don't have access to some of the funded state benefits. The visa papers don't tell you what these funds are. When you think of it "Job Seeker Allowance" comes to mind as one you are not entitled to. Another one could be "Child Benefit." But what others are there?
Well, there are several. In fact, there is an official list http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/06/no-resource-to-public-funds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0United Kingdom55.378051 -3.43597336.641164 -43.8656605 74.114938 36.9937145tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-1558085492820098743Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:41:00 +00002012-06-26T21:15:40.862+01:00pakistanworldGoogle's Chairman's Mystery Visit to Pakistan
Sans any media campaign, Google's Chairman (and former CEO), Eric Schmidt, visited Pakistan in mid June for a 2 day trip. He met now-ousted Prime Minister of Pakistan in Islamabad and a selected group of people from business and technology sectors.
There is no official word from Google explaining the purpose of his visit but the Pakistani government did have an official word about the http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/06/googles-ceos-mystery-visit-to-pakistan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-3136326056960306032Mon, 14 May 2012 21:08:00 +00002012-05-14T22:21:23.577+01:00financeSo, What's Money, Anyways?
Most people know that money is coins and paper bills issued by a government. But what exactly is money? What's the difference in a coin and a paper bill? Does it make any difference when a coin is replaced by a note of the same denomination by a government? What is inflation, and why should I care? This short introduction might be beneficial if you are not sure about the answers to some of the http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/05/so-whats-money-anyway.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-1916078560571861551Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:25:00 +00002012-04-23T22:06:03.057+01:00lifeukHow to Remember Typical Stopping Distances in The Highway Code
The Highway Code (UK) gives the following list of typical stopping distances. The Highway Code gives no hint on the source of this information, nor it gives any insight on the method used to calculate these values. It does, however, state that "your typical stopping distance consists of thinking distance plus breaking distance."
Being a learner, it's difficult for me to understand how http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/04/how-to-remember-typical-stopping.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-8055054832329808757Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:58:00 +00002013-03-01T22:17:28.256+00:00lifepersonalukA Year in the UK
It's been over a year now. Several things have changed, and it's best to categorize the positive and negatives to analyse the overall impact. And the analysis is important to steer life in the right direction, irrespective of the amount of control we have on our lives.
I would like to rate the impact of moving to the UK in various areas on a scale of -3 to +3 where -3 indicates that something http://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/04/year-in-uk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-8775084398352106022Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:51:00 +00002012-01-04T21:24:51.318+00:00programmingtoolsHow to clean C++ projects in VS 2010
If you archive/ zip your C++ project, there are good chances that it will take a lot of time to send it via email; reason being the huge temporary files that are created with VS 2010. These temporary files shouldn't be committed to your configuration management systems (CVS, SVN and similar tools). Not only adding these temporaries to your versioning system increases the storage requirements, ithttp://www.thejaywalker.net/2012/01/clean-c-projects-in-vs-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990386.post-4198886216428773020Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:34:00 +00002012-01-01T20:10:21.156+00:00freelanceukBeing Part Time Self-Employed in the UK
It's possible to work as a self-employed person while retaining your full-time employment in the UK. The combination is called as employed + self-employed. There is nothing complex about the arrangement and is perfectly acknowledged by HMRC [1].
Letting HMRC Know
If you believe that you can work as a self-employed individual/ contractor in addition to your day job, you just need to let HMRC http://www.thejaywalker.net/2011/12/uk-self-employed-and-online-work.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Muhammad Ali Shah)1United Kingdom55.378051 -3.43597336.641164 -43.8656605 74.114938 36.9937145